This book offers a critical study of the National Commission for Minorities and its working since its establishment in January 1978. The author, who chaired the Commission for three years during 1996-99, makes an empirical evaluation of the institution and its performance over the Years. The book furnishes information also about the other regular and ad hoc bodies gradually established for the minorities at the national level and on the history and governing laws of the Minorities Commissions working in various States. On the whole the book provides an insight into the ups and downs of the minority situation in India during the last about four decades and the success and failure of governmental efforts made to ensure the minorities their constitutional rights and safeguards.